The Standard for Certified Purity.™

Month: May 2012

The Midori is a contemporary, low-profile mattress. Measuring at 7” high, it is a two-sided, flat-surface mattress made from one-piece 6” core of medium-firm 100%-natural rubber latex, then covered with our signature OrganicPedic® knit quilting. The Midori was designed in the style of a firm Japanese-style sleep system. It makes a great option for sleepers looking for firm support, as well as for children.

Did you know that federal law requires mattresses to pass vigorous open-flame flammability tests? These tests are usually passed with the use of chemical flame retardants. It is a proven fact that chemical flame-retardants offgas volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Knowing that, are these flame retardants really helping? An article written by Sam Roe and Patricia Callahan for the Chicago Tribune discusses how research was manipulated by chemical companies to increase the need for the flame retardants. Included is an interview with the study’s lead author, Vytenis Babrauskas.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

CHICAGO — Twenty-five years ago, scientists gathered in a cramped government laboratory and set fire to specially designed chairs, TVs and electrical cables packed with flame retardants For the next half-hour, they carefully measured how much the chemicals slowed the blaze.

It was one of the largest studies of its kind, and the chemical industry seized upon it, claiming the results showed that flame retardants gave people a 15-fold increase in time to escape fires.

Manufacturers of flame retardants would repeatedly point to this government study as key proof that these toxic chemicals – embedded in many common household items – prevented residential fires and saved lives.

But the study’s lead author, Vytenis Babrauskas, told the Chicago Tribune that industry officials have “grossly distorted” the findings of his research, which was not based on real-world conditions. The small amounts of flame retardants in typical home furnishings, he said, offer little to no fire protection.

“Industry has used this study in ways that are improper and untruthful,” he said.

The misuse of Babrauskas’ work is but one example of how the chemical industry has manipulated scientific findings to promote the widespread use of flame retardants and downplay the health risks, a Tribune investigation shows. The industry has twisted research results, ignored findings that run counter to their aims and passed off biased, industry-funded reports as rigorous science.

As a result, the chemical industry successfully distorted the basic knowledge about toxic chemicals that are used in consumer products and linked to serious health problems, including cancer, developmental problems, neurological deficits and impaired fertility.

Industry has disseminated misleading research findings so frequently that they essentially have been adopted as fact. They have been cited by consultants, think tanks, regulators and Wikipedia, and have shaped the worldwide debate about the safety of flame retardants.

One series of studies financed by the chemical industry concluded that flame retardants prevent deadly fires, reduce pollutants and save society millions of dollars.

The main basis for these broad claims? A scientific report so obscure that it is available only in Swedish.

When the Tribune obtained a copy and translated it, the report revealed that many of industry’s wide-ranging claims can be traced to information regarding just eight TV fires in western Stockholm more than 15 years ago.

Although industries often try to spin scientific findings on the safety and effectiveness of their products, the tactics employed by flame retardant manufacturers stand out.

Tom Muir, a Canadian government research analyst for 30 years, called the broad claims based on the eight Stockholm TV fires “the worst example I have ever seen of deliberate misinformation and distortion.”

The American Chemistry Council, the leading trade group for the industry, said flame retardants are safe products that help protect life and property. “ACC’s work is grounded in scientific evidence, as we believe regulatory decisions related to chemistry must be evaluated on a scientific basis,” the trade group said in a written statement.

But when the Tribune asked the trade group to provide research that showed flame retardants are effective, the council initially provided only one study – the one Babrauskas wrote and now says is being distorted by industry.

“My triplets (2 boys, 1 girl) are closing in on 5 years old. Both of the boys, Cooper and Carson, have Autism and my daughter Camryn also has chemical sensitivities. Most people do not realize that Autism is not only a neurological disorder, but it also affects multiple systems within the body, including the body’s ability to detox chemicals and metals. Since learning this, I have made it my mission to rid my children’s environment of as many toxins as humanly possible, thus lowering their body’s total toxic burden. It has been a process for sure, but I am a determined mother who wants to provide every opportunity for their little bodies to heal and grow.

We have been on this journey for just over 2 years now, and were ready for the next step in cleaning up their environment. I came across the New Living and Green Painter stores upon an Internet search for toxin free paints and mattresses. I called and was lucky enough that Adam Brackman was willing to meet my husband and I on July 4th (when the store was closed) to discuss our needs and see the products both stores had to offer.”

“New Living proves that going green doesn’t always come with a higher price tag, however, we sometimes struggle to be able to provide for everything that our special family needs. We would only be able to afford two of the mattresses for the boys at this time and would hopefully be able to buy Camryn her own non-toxic mattress later in the year. When it came time for the mattresses to be delivered, Adam and his crew showed up to deliver the two mattresses. We had already prepared our daughter, telling her that today was about her brothers getting beds and she would get her own “big girl” bed soon. Camryn was filled with joy to see her brothers new beds, but felt a little left out and asked, “when do I get my own bed?” We were prepared to repeat what we had been telling her, but to all of our surprise, Adam said “How about today?” and miraculously pulled a third mattress out of the truck for her! He had worked behind the scenes and with some help from OMI and his family, and together they had taken care of her mattress. Wow! We were thrilled and Camryn was on her own “big girl” bed in minutes!

Adam and OMI went to great lengths to work with our family to make our mission a reality. We are TRULY thankful to him for all of his efforts and are humbled by his sensitivity to our mission and circumstance!!! Thank you Adam, OMI and New Living!”

My husband and I decided it was time to invest in a better night’s sleep, so we began the hunt for our perfect OrganicPedic® mattress. Seeing how I am less than 5 feet tall and my husband is well over 6 feet tall, it makes finding a mattress that we can agree on almost impossible.

After testing all the mattresses we arrived at a stalemate. I melted into the Terra Plush while my husband loved the feel of the Flora Nouveau -complete opposites. What solution could we come to if we couldn’t agree which is the most comfortable for us? The answer came in the form of the Duo. The Duo was a lifesaver!

The Duo is a 10” mattress, with dual sleep zones to allow each sleeper to their own preferred comfort. Each side of the mattress has three individually sleeved layers of premium 100% natural rubber surrounded by certified organic cotton, and is available in many different comfort options. Your OMI retailers can help you figure out which configuration is right for you. Click HERE to find a retailer near you. The sculpted surface of the top layer provides the ultimate in comfort and pressure point relief. This mattress has a removable cover and dual-zone internal layers that can be customized to accommodate each sleeper’s preference. It is an everlasting mattress, meaning we can rearrange the layers and even change the firmness levels as our bodies change over time.

After playing around with the layers, we were each able to create the ideal comfort level we wanted. My side has a medium bottom layer and an extra soft middle layer while my husband chose a firm for both the bottom and middle layer.